Young reader feels everyone should be encouraged to take a stand on bullying

Huntsville Forester

Dear newspaper editor,
I think that we should all take a stand against bullying. There are so many kids getting bullied these days. I chose this topic because so many people don’t get how serious it is.
Every day kids’ self-esteem is getting lower and it is causing kids to take their own lives. I know how it makes people feel. It makes them feel down and think terrible things about themselves. I was one of those people. One time I was sitting there and my friends started talking then when I started to talk they told me to be quiet (shut up) so I did. My whole life I have been a quiet little girl never sticking up for myself and doing whatever people tell me to do. But I am sick and tired of seeing people, including myself, getting treated like pieces of garbage.
Some people say “you’re too sensitive,” “be stronger,”“just brush it off.” How? When it keeps happening again and again. They don’t know what we go through or what goes through our minds. Some people, including the person or people that are bullying, they sometimes laugh. But others cry or fall into deep depression and some take their own lives. There is no excuse!
It’s scary how some people do it until one day they hear that person committed suicide. Bullies may or may not start to realize what they are doing is wrong but it may be too late. Well it shouldn’t have to be that way in this world. We want kids to feel safe, to be able to wear what they want to and to not worry about what people think. Which is why I want bullies to recognize what they are doing before it gets too serious and causes kids to be pushed to the extreme.
The reason why I am bringing this to your attention is because it is bullying awareness month. You know that saying “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” well, kids have found a way to change that saying and are making words just as hurtful as sticks and stones that is why it needs to stop. It’s easier to bully others over the Internet, by rumors, and talking behind each other’s backs. Really, what is the point? Making someone depressed or leading them to feel like they want to die, does this make you (the bully) feel good about yourself? Put yourself into the parent’s shoes, having to watch your kids go through so much pain. Picture them walking into their kid’s room and seeing them laying there on the floor dead with a note saying “Mom, Dad I love you guys but I can’t take it anymore. It is too much to handle.”
I can’t imagine having a parent go through that knowing that they couldn’t help their son or daughter. This is not a joking matter. It is serious and has to be stopped. I know people that have gotten bullied before or that are still getting bullied and let me tell you it is not fun watching someone getting bullied, it is sickening.
Picture yourself standing in the middle of a group of friends and boys come over or people who your friends want to impress so they start making fun of you, not knowing how to react you play along and laugh because you don’t want them to know you are upset. People shouldn’t have to do that, they should be able to tell them what they are doing is hurtful.
The most important thing too, is tell someone, because if you don’t then it eats away at your insides and could lead to extreme things to numb the pain, for example drugs, alcohol, depression, suicide. But we need to learn how to stand up for ourselves or else it will keep on happening. Yeah sure it may stop but the feelings will always be stuck with you. When I think about my experiences it brings me to tears.
I can’t help it but the sooner you stand up for yourself the less you have to be stuck with. I hope that when people read this it will encourage them to stand up against bullying and not give in to bullying.